***The Official Ascend Acoustics Sierra Thread***

Only a couple of people, myself included, have a pair since we were able pick them them up on Friday.

Since actual shipping starts this week, I think people will be posting soon after.

I am tempted to head over on Monday. I'm not sure yet. I could always return them if I didn't like them in my room.

I've often thought that about this forum.

But seriously, since it's a couple people, it is the owners thread, not just the owner thread.

From my post at the Ascend forum:

Based on my listening at Curtis's house last night, there is a definite difference between the speakers.

If they were photographs, the 340 would be slightly out of focus compared to the Sierras, as if there were a very fine gauze between me and the speaker.

Given my experience with the 340, this is insane since the 340s are simply excellent.

The bass on the Sierra is better, not merely because it goes lower, but it is tighter and punchier. Again, given the strengths of the 340, it was an odd experience.

I think the cabinet is making a significant difference. I noticed a significant improvement, for example, in the sound in my car when I sound deadened the doors. I think the cabinet on the Sierra has much of the same effect. I'm pretty ignorant about the tech side of sound, however.

This is geography discrimination. I ordered mine before Curtis went over to suck up to David and got a pair to take home.

Where is Al Sharpton - my rights have been violated.

And we have better weather too.

Considering all the other advantages you have, you should be happy for us.

Haha, I beat you too Craig!

I am in love with these speakers. Listening to music on them is such a joy.

Hey...I was resigned to having mine tomorrow or Tuesday. I told Dave I would call after my son's baseball game on Friday evening just in case things got rolling sooner. Dave was still there, and had three ready(actually at least five, because another forum member arrived as I was leaving). I got lucky.

I didn't suck up....well, at least not much.

Off to see "Shrek the Third".

It's all good - at least this way, Curtis PROBABLY won't follow through on the threat to make his mark on my Piano Black Sierra's before they ship.

I do believe he was going to moon me on the speakers - which is pretty scary ...

mziegler and I did a bit last night.

The Sierras do not lack in tightness. In fact, I think it is tighter than the 340, along with being deeper and punchier.

LOL!

I think the Sierras go down to 45 hz. There obviously is lower extension when we compared them directly to the 340.

Curtis had only matched the Sierras to his rear speakers. There is 3db difference between the 340 and Sierra, and he hadn't yet matched the sub. He did turn on the sub at one point, but I don't think we were listening to bass-heavy music.

Curtis will have to confirm this later.

On another note, we also listened to a regular and SACD version of the same album. The difference was pretty noticeable, on an order of the difference between the 340 and Sierra.

And he's thumbing his nose at you too...

Based on my listening, I would say the Sierras get down to at least 40hz if not a little lower. For music they sound fantastic without a sub.

p.s. I have three cbm-170se for sale if anyone is interested. Local pickup preferred. I'm in Lomita, CA.

Wow, we are neighbors.

back from the movie(I was not too impressed)

This week, I will try the system more with a sub. Right now, the front three are all set to large.

I was quoted tuesday as the probably pickup date... soon to join the club

Looking forward to some new thoughts.

Cool, what kind of system do you have?

Hey Curtis what movie are you talking about?

Shrek the Third

I saw it with the girls yesterday.... pretty lame if you ask me.

I have gotten a few PM's for a test similar to the bookshelf program we have in another thread ... this one comparing the Sierra's to the ACI Sapphire XL's.

We can do the whole level matching and instant A/B switching thing - and blind listening, too.

As with the budget bookshelf stuff, this won't be to pick a "winner", as we use a pretty wide group of listeners - but rather they give impressions.

If anyone else is interested, please let me know - including if you live close enough to Erie to participate.

Craig- Are Dave and Mike going to sign off on that?

As the details of the Seirra were revealed and considering David's 1500 to 4000 comment I immediatly thought the XLs would be stiff competetion.

I would be very interested in reading your comparison.

I'm definitely interested and close enough to Erie to participate...you're about an hour east of us.

J.

Mike is quite comfortable with these situations. I don't want a lot of fuss or angst about this, and am pretty sure no on else does, either. As you named the Sierras, why not make you the "point man" on this ?

Check with David, and if he is ok with the idea, please let us know. If he isn't, drop me a PM, and it won't be mentioned again.

The Basic set up is this:

1. Speakers will be set up in an ABAB fashion
2. They will be level matched using white noise, Gold Line Microphones and calibrators, M-Audio external pre-amp as a sound card, and True RTA's latest software.
3. Switching is done via remote, and is instantaneous.
4. The differences in various qualities are noted by the listeners, such as Jason. Their notes will include things like omaging, soudstage width and depth ... etc ...
5. It is not a preference test - though most people do seem to inherently pick a "winner", regardless how many times they are told not to.

As usual, I'm always available and interested, and would love to hear the Sierras.